A potential development near Wabamun Lake has residents concerned for their own, and Parkland County property.

The potential water resort and campground, located on Lakeshore Road adjacent to the north shore of Lake Wabamun near Fallis, is owned by Samco Developments co-owners Cindy and Russell Dolanz.

Thanks to resident concerns dating back to 2011, a public hearing on the matter, will be scheduled in the near future.

In 2011, the developer received a permit to create a horse pasture on the property, but soon installed two large hills, which have created problems with flooding in the area. One neighbour, who preferred to remain anonymous, said runoff from the property has not only been affecting residents, but it has been doing damage to the adjacent roadway belonging to Parkland County.

After an anonymous complaint in January 2012, the Government of Alberta issued Samco and it’s directors a Water Act Enforcement Order, for illegal activity on floodplains adjacent to the Lake.

“Examination of the site concluded that the unauthorized activities created a significant potential for erosion of soil and a high potential for increased sediment in Wabamun Lake, and that insufficient precautionary measures had been taken by Samco on either property to prevent this from occurring,” said the official order.

The order goes on to state appropriate remediation of the properties would have to be undertaken to minimize further erosion of the lands and sedimentation of Wabamun Lake. Samco was required to cease all unauthorized activity on the properties, and take appropriate measures to restore them. This included immediately re-grading and re-contouring altered land, installing silt fencing, submitting a written survey report signed by an Alberta land surveyor, and submitting and implementing a written remedial plan outlining full measures for stabilizing and re-vegetating the disturbed land.

Despite the order Samco continued to make changes to the property, restructuring the land, stripping trees, and excavating gravel, allegedly, without a permit. While all of this was happening, resident concerns were steadily growing.

“There are many people in the Lake Wabamun community, near Fallis especially, that already have been negatively affected by the development of this property. The desecration of the land will continue to further impact the immediate community and all Lake Wabamun users in the future and for generations to come,” said the anonymous resident.

During an open house on Sept. 28, many residents voiced their concern with the potential development, and one resident was able to bring their number of collected signatures opposing the development to more than 50.

Parkland County is aware the developer plans to come forward asking for a development permit for a resort and campground, but said no application has been made as of yet.

“Parkland County is aware that Samco will be submitting a development permit application for a campground. We have not yet received the full application for review. The development permit application process includes conducting public engagement and submitting the feedback that is received,”said Parkland County communications co-ordinator Sarah Mate.

While it has yet to be scheduled, a public forum on the matter, which could feature a panel of political dignitaries, a Parkland County representative, an Alberta Environment representative, City and County Councillors, and members of the Watershed Society.

Both Russell and Cindy Dolanz did not respond to multiple attempts for comment.